Per ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Washington Capitals are reportedly trading Marcus Johansson to the Minnesota Wild ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline. The deal will see the Capitals get a third-round pick in return. Some will wonder if this is Minnesota’s big move in the Western Conference or just one of a couple of deals GM Bill Guerin has brewing. This could be a precursor to something else.
The Capitals brought in Johansson at the trade deadline last season in exchange for Daniel Sprong, a 2022 third-rounder and 2023 sixth-rounder. But, with the team struggling this season and likely not bound for the playoffs, it made sense to trade the 32-year-old pending UFA. He’s finishing out a contract that pays $1.1 million this season. It doesn’t appear that any salary was retained in this trade.
In 60 games this season, Johansson has 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points. He’s a top-six forward who can help on a power play. In 813 career NHL games, the Swede has 157 goals and 278 assists for 435 points.
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